Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles has praised Islam Slimani after the forward made his debut for the Magpies in their 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town at the weekend, Goal reports.
Slimani was a second-half substitute for Rafa Benitez’s side after he replaced Dwight Gayle to make his long-awaited bow for the club.
Despite only playing the final 15 minutes of the game, Newcastle skipper Lascelles believes the 29-year-old’s impact made way for Ayoze Perez’s 80th-minute winner against The Terriers.
He came on, he was a handful and because of his presence in the box, it makes some room for Ayoze’s [goal].
Slimani joined Newcastle on loan from Leicester City during the January transfer window but has since struggled with an ongoing thigh muscle strain, which had been preventing the Algerian international from making his debut.
After finally making his first appearance for the Magpies against David Wagner’s side on Saturday, Slimani will be unavailable to face his parent club this weekend when Newcastle travel to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester.
